The doctors allowed the dog to enter the room to say goodbye to his owner – a few hours later, the nurse walked in and screamed in horror

In a quiet palliative care room, an 82-year-old man lay dying, his cardiac monitor softly beeping. Diagnosed with extensive metastases, he had mere days left. His only lingering pain was leaving his loyal dog, Ritchie, whom he found as a stray puppy. They’d shared 15 years, losing everything but each other—his wife, son, home, and friends. Desperate to see Ritchie one last time, he pleaded with the nurse, who, despite hospital rules, convinced the doctor to allow it.

Two hours later, Ritchie, a scrawny dog with a graying snout, entered. He leapt onto the bed, resting his head on his owner’s shoulder. The man, tears streaming, apologized for leaving and kissed Ritchie’s head. The dog whimpered softly, as if saying, “I’m here.” They lay together for hours, the nurse leaving them undisturbed.

When she returned, she screamed in horror. The monitor was silent—the man had passed. But Ritchie, nestled against his neck, was also gone, his heart unable to bear the loss. Together, in love and loyalty, they departed, forever bound as the last ones who had each other.